As we approach Giving Tuesday, we would like to invite you to join us in supporting our mission to impact, inspire, and brighten lives through the arts. Your tax-deductible contribution can make a significant difference in helping us continue to create and produce meaningful productions. At GDC, we pour our heart and soul into every project we undertake, but we cannot do it alone. Your support is essential in helping us keep the arts alive. We are incredibly grateful for your continued support, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that the arts remain an essential part of our lives. You can make a donation here: http://gindance.org/GinDance/support_gdc/. Thank YOU!!

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Concluding her 27-year career as a professional dancer, she performs in ‘Insight’ November 11 at Capital One Hall.

Reflecting on this transition, Shu-Chen Cuff shares, “As a dancer and a performer, I’ve dedicated and worked hard all my life to perfect my performance and give my all on stage. It’s hard to believe it’s really coming to an end… This decision hasn’t been an easy one, but I know it’s time.”… Read all about it: https://dctheaterarts.org/2023/10/18/gin-dance-companys-artistic-director-shu-chen-cuff-to-retire-from-the-stage/

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GDC Premier “Insight” at Capital One Hall This November!

• When:

November 11, 2023 — 7:30 p.m. 

• What: 

This production is comprised of three pieces each with very different meanings, cultural influences, and styles. The first piece, “Insight”, a brand new original work that was inspired by the quote “When an old person dies, a library burns down.” This powerful quote reminds us of the immense wealth of knowledge and experience that older generations possess. Shu-Chen, through her choreography and dance, expresses the awakening message that we should respect more and care more for our seniors and appreciate all they have done to give younger generations the world they will inherent from them. We need to hear their stories and learn their lessons so we can benefit and grow from the wisdom they have to share. Second, a collaboration with kinetic sculpture artist, Kevin Reese. This work is called “I Am Here” in which GDC’s Artistic Director Shu-Chen Cuff, as a 1st generation immigrant to the U.S., delves into her experience of the desire, dreams, struggles, opportunities, and celebration of immigrating to this country. Using the kinetic sculpture design and dance, the audience will get to see and understand how the immigrants life experience come together with the community. Third, “A Cup of Tea”, an Asian culturally influenced work with live music accompaniment by Chinese Dulcimer musician, Chao Tian. In this work, Shu-Chen, through dance, delves into the culture and philosophy of the Chinese tea ceremony and reveals that the tea ceremonies and rituals contain an adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday life, as well as a sense of refinement, an inner spiritual content, humility, restraint and simplicity. By sharing this work with the community, we hope to give the audience an experience that will inspire them to look first inwardly as they explore the introspective nature of the production, then outwardly to appreciate and connect with the people and possibilities that surround us all.

• Where:

Capital One Hall

7750 Capital One Tower RD

Tysons, VA 22102

• Tickets:

Not on sale yet

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Shu-Chen Cuff
I was born and raised in Taiwan. From a very young age, I loved singing, dancing, and acting. I always knew I wanted to be a performer. I remember I would be so mesmerized watching any kind of stage performances, TV shows, movies, and iceskating and gymnastic in Olympics. In my mind it didn’t matter what I would become, as long as I could perform. Not until my childhood friend brought me to watch a ballet class at the age of six, I fell in love with dance. I came from a very modest middle class family. My dad was a police sergeant and my mom was a factory worker. I have two older brothers. Growing up, money was always tight. I often heard my parents argue and worry about money. When I talked to my dad about taking dance lessons, he said to me “Those ballet dancers have big legs and cavies, you don’t want to look like that!” Of course, it wasn’t until later I realized that the real reason he didn’t want me to take dance classes was because of money. I later went ahead and registered for a summer dance workshop, having no real concept about paying for the class. I was six years old and just knew I couldn’t wait any longer. Having no dance gear like the other students, I took class in street clothes and socks. After a couple of weeks, Ms. Lin, my teacher finally came to me and told me that I needed to pay for the class. At that point, I had to tell my dad. He came to watch me in class. After that, he paid for the class and got me proper attire for dance. That’s how my dance journey began. 

After I graduated from Tsoy High School, which was a prestigious dance program in Taiwan, I immigrated to the U.S. I am beyond grateful for my amazing parents who worked so hard to support me to come to this country, so I can pursue my dance dream. After graduating with a BFA from the University of Florida’s New World School of the Arts (UF’s Dance Program), I danced professionally with ballet and modern dance companies for fourteen years, touring domestically and internationally. Thirteen years ago, my husband, Gary and I started Gin Dance Company. It truly has been a dream come true. Being that little girl in Taiwan, I never would have dreamed in a million years that I would have my own dance company one day in United States. I have so many people to be thankful for helping me along the way. I am proud and fortunate to call myself Asian American. Learn more about Shu-Chen

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We are thrilled and humbled to announce that Gin Dance Company has received the Dolly Vogt Community Arts Award on behalf of ArtsFairfax and Capital One Hall.

This award recognizes artistic merit, percentage of facility capacity and programmatic growth.

We are so very touched to have been selected for this very special honor. Thank you to ArtsFairfax and Capital One Hall! We simply can’t do what we do without their amazing work and support.

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